7 Weird Red-Carpet Fashion Hacks That Really Work

Ever wonder why celebrities manage to avoid the wardrobe malfunctions us regular folk face when we dress up for a big night out? How, for instance, do they appear wrinkle-free when they step onto the red carpet? How do their gowns stay in place, seemingly against all laws of nature? And how do they seem to avoid those dreaded visible panty lines and bra straps poking out at inopportune moments

Leesa Evans, celebrity stylist and Hollywood film costume designer, has more than a few tricks up her sleeve when she works with clients including Amy Schumer and on movies (her résumé includes Bridesmaids and Zoolander 2).

On the eve of the Academy Awards, the mother of all awards shows, when stylists truly pull out all of the stops to make sure their clients look utterly perfect (and from every angle), Evans let’s us in on a few of her tried and true red-carpet hacks.

Some might seem a bit extreme for every day (like Evans' suggestion for avoiding the wrinkles that come from sitting in a car for an hour) but could seriously come in handy for big events like weddings, black-tie events, and even job interviews, when you want to ensure that your appearance is utterly on point. In other words, write these red-carpet hacks down.

1. No wrinkles, no problem. If you're curious how celebrities step out of their cars and onto the red carpet without a wrinkle, here's a tip: “It’s best to lean back as much as possible to avoid the hip crease that's unavoidable from sitting and always smooth the gown before sitting down," Evans told us. "I've recommended everything from a bus where someone could stand to a van where someone could partially lay down!”

2. Forget zippers; sew yourself in. As for how A-listers keep their gowns in place at all times? There’s more at work, according to Evans, than just double-sided fashion tape. “I am a big fan of sewing someone in for the night so they breathe easy and enjoy,” Evans said. “Tape can be tricky.”

3. Think inside out. As for how celebrities manage to avoid visible panty lines, all while making sure their undergarments don’t move around, it’s because their undergarments are often getting customized. “I try to sew the undergarments together when possible depending on the gown to ensure a seamless look,” Evans said.

4. Think outside the underwear box. “I do love a waist cincher, and it’s great for posture too,” Evans said of one of her favorite undergarments for red-carpet appearances. Other stylists have been known to use hip pads, bodysuits, and even shoulder pads to make sure a red-carpet gown looks just so.

5. Sandpaper that. You might associate sandpaper with just home repairs, but celebrity stylists swear by using it on the shoes of their celebrity clients. Using sandpaper on the bottoms of shoes gives them extra grip so you don’t end up flat on your face descending stairs or on the dance floor.

6. Control your sweat. Who hasn’t been embarrassed by sweat stains—especially when dressed up for a formal occasion? A stylist trick for that is sweat protectors, which are essentially pads for your underarms. Pop them in while you're getting ready for your big night out and in the car on your way to an event, and their absorbent material will sop up your sweat. Then simply toss them out before your big entrance.

7. Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit. “I always send a pair of extra shoes in the car for dancing and of course tape, wrinkle-free [releaser spray], and stain-remover for emergencies,” Evans said.